Random dumb question: Why is it called Dragoon when its clearly a Pikeman?

[UkcsAlias]

Dudes with long spears have always been Pikeman.

Halberdier. They use a long spear combined with an axe, and function quite similar to a pikeman in the military. But is often also seen as an upgrade form as their spear is also usable as axe.

(and it also sounds a lot cooler)

But in a game where mages exist... i dont realy think terminology has to be this strict anyway.

[Lanadra]

I know, I know... I haft to ask the obvious though.

Anyone whose ever played a Civ based game knows Lancers upgrade to Pikeman.

Dudes with long spears have always been Pikeman.

Dragoons are units that ride horses/vehicles to the battle zone and dismount and arn't necessarily even melee units.

So.... why?

You're.. playing Final Fantasy.. not Civilization.

[Thaurnus]

Dragon Knight sounds much better, or give us a free mount to Dragoon with.

[Rinlina]

Historically, the term dragoon refers to a type soldier who originally used blunderbusses (called dragons) and rode horses into combat. Later on, they would add more weapons to their arsenal like pistols, rifles, and sabers. Eventually, they would become cavalry units with lances, replacing lancers all together. Now dragoon units are purely ceremonial.

As for Final Fantasy, in the original JP, they're known as Dragon Knights, with Dragoon being their EN name. The concept of Dragoons originates in Final Fantasy II, where they were an order of dragon-riding knights whom the Emperor killed off expect for Ricard Highwind. The proficiency with Polearms and their Jump ability would come in Final Fantasy III. Ever since, Dragoon has been a stable job of the series.

I very much like this lore, always found the lore of dragoon interesting in the from series. I do wonder if Dragoon always had a dragon pet like they have in ff11 and if that makes sense lore wise.

[Pokelong]

It's clearly not a Pikeman either. Never seen Pikeman jumping 100meters high and attack from air.

[Ranaku]

The bait is strong in this one.

Dragoon was used (in old games as far as i know) cause of the character limits, you can imagine in japanese they don't have to worry about them as much. And then it just stuck.

Also lorewise in FF2 and FF4 they were mounted as far as i know.

In XIV you could also argue that dragon knight would be somewhat heretic cause the Ishgardians hated (and some still do) dragons, so why naming your knights directly after the enemy? So Dragoon would be the compromise between an accurate job description and staying away as far from the hated word dragon as possible. Since dragoons are basically a counter measure against the obviously flying dragons as we see in the HW trailer and the story.

[Momo_Kozuki]

In XIV you could also argue that dragon knight would be somewhat heretic cause the Ishgardians hated (and some still do) dragons, so why naming your knights directly after the enemy? So Dragoon would be the compromise between an accurate job description and staying away as far from the hated word dragon as possible. Since dragoons are basically a counter measure against the obviously flying dragons as we see in the HW trailer and the story.

Cuz there is a time where there was peace between two races prior to Dragonsong War, so I think Dragoon is a word for soldiers who can borrow dragon' strength. Lv70 Dragoon armor set is made during this peace. After that, thanks to someone that caused the War, Dragoon becomes the enemy of the dragons, and they use the same strength to strike the draconian force. Fighting poison with poison.

[Raidoser]

It's clearly not a Pikeman either. Never seen Pikeman jumping 100meters high and attack from air.

Yes they can, just load them on a scorpio.

[Stanelis]

Now that the summoner finally got to summon primals maybe they ll finally give a wyvern to the DRG next expansion.